Chapter 69

The Emperor Wu Lie was shocked by her words, clearly not expecting her to be so resolute, as if she had already prepared herself mentally. At the same time, he was puzzled: “Haven’t you always had a good relationship with Prince Jing? I thought you would choose him.”

Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes, a hint of coldness flashing in them: “I have spent many years on the battlefield and do not fully understand him. What seemed good might have been just superficial.”

Emperor Wu Lie’s eyes deepened: “Did he do something he shouldn’t have?”

Yan Donghuang shook her head: “I simply haven’t had enough time to understand his true nature, nor am I sure he would make a good emperor once he ascended the throne. Therefore, I dare not recommend him recklessly.”

“You are right,” Emperor Wu Lie nodded slowly, “One can know a person’s face but not their heart. Being cautious is not a bad thing.”

“Father, you have led the army for many years, and I have been on the battlefield for many years. The kingdom we have worked hard to build, I want to protect it myself,” Yan Donghuang said firmly. “The seven generals under my command are all brave and loyal to the country. I must ensure their skills and loyalty are rewarded, not feared.”

“Father, with powerful nations still eyeing us covetously, I cannot let the Yong Dynasty face any uncertain risks.”

After hearing her out, Emperor Wu Lie’s expression gradually relaxed, and his complexion brightened significantly: “You are right. I have the same thoughts, but I couldn’t bear to let you, a woman, face the fierce opposition of the court officials. Otherwise… otherwise, I would have issued an edict for you to ascend the throne directly…”

“Father,” Yan Donghuang raised her eyes slightly, “I am not afraid.”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at her deeply for a long time, then slowly nodded: “Since you are fearless, then I should have no reservations.”

Yan Donghuang clenched her hands tightly, emotions surging in her heart. Since following her father to the battlefield, she had always known that he trusted and valued her, and his appreciation for her had always surpassed that of the other princes. But she had never thought her father would be willing to break the ancestral rules to let her ascend the throne. Now that she had received a definite answer, she couldn’t help but recall the regrets she had at the end of her previous life… or was it just a dream?

Regardless of the truth, if this was an opportunity the heavens gave, she would never let the villains succeed again.

“Have the seven generals of the Qingluan Army entered the palace?” Emperor Wu Lie asked.

Yan Donghuang nodded: “They are all inside the Fengtian Gate.”

“Call them in.”

Yan Donghuang responded and left.

Emperor Wu Lie watched her tall and slender back, a trace of relief flashing across his face.

Women are born and raised under the teachings of male superiority and female inferiority. Even though Yan Donghuang had trained with him on the battlefield for many years, he still worried that she might not be able to break free from the constraints of being a woman…

This was not her problem but a perception caused by the system and rules established over thousands of years.

Yan Donghuang grew up under this system and did not have a good childhood, yet she could develop such ambition and determination, which was indeed beyond his expectations.

It can only be said that the battlefield is indeed a place that can transform people.

Emperor Wu Lie ordered: “Rong Chun.”

The chief eunuch stepped forward and bowed: “Your servant is here.”

“Prepare the ink. I want to draft an edict.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Wu Lie got up from the bed, supported by a young eunuch beside him, and walked slowly to the imperial desk in the outer hall.

Yan Donghuang stepped out of the hall and immediately saw the anxious concubines, princes, and several high-ranking officials waiting outside.

Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi were among them.

“Donghuang, what did Father say to you?” Yan Ming was the first to ask, his brows slightly furrowed as if worried, “Is Father’s health…”

Yan Donghuang looked at him calmly: “Father is fine.”

Yan Ming was stunned.

Yan Donghuang turned and ordered: “Rong Ying, call the seven generals over.”

“Yes.”

Consort De stepped forward, frowning as she looked at Yan Donghuang: “Donghuang, you don’t look well. Did your father say something…”

Yan Donghuang indifferently withdrew her hand: “Father will announce it later.”

Consort De’s face stiffened, a look of astonishment flashing in her eyes. She turned to look at her son, Yan Ming, who was also puzzled, not understanding why Yan Donghuang had suddenly become so cold and distant.

“The Emperor’s health is poor, and the situation is special. Consort De, you don’t need to rush to bond with Donghuang,” Consort Gui, standing aside, said with a hint of sarcasm, “The Emperor indeed favors Donghuang, but the matter of the heir concerns the foundation of the country and cannot be easily decided by a woman.”

“The matter of the heir is indeed not something a woman can decide. So, is it allowed for the Noble Consort to discuss the heir?” Consort De frowned, “I am just expressing motherly affection with Donghuang. When did I let her decide the heir? Consort Gui is being too…”

“Ladies, princes, and officials,” Rong Chun came out of the hall, saluted the concubines and princes present, and glanced at the officials behind them, “The Emperor invites you all into the hall.”

Consort De’s words were interrupted, and she stopped talking reluctantly, stepping into the hall.

The Empress had just been deposed due to the involvement of the Crown Prince. Now, Consort Gui was the head of the harem, with Consort Shu, Consort De, and Consort Xian also present. Besides them, concubines with princes, such as Consort Jia, Consort Jing, and Consort Hui, were also summoned. They all knew that the Emperor was seriously ill and that the matter of establishing the heir was urgent. Last night, Consort De invited Yan Donghuang to the palace, personally handed her two newly made outfits, and even had dinner with her—a scene of mother-daughter harmony and happiness.

Consort Gui was jealous of Consort De’s good relationship with Yan Donghuang but had no way to win Yan Donghuang’s favor, so she could only secretly grit her teeth, fearing that Yan Donghuang would speak well of the Second Prince in front of the Emperor and make the old Emperor pass the throne to Yan Ming.

As the ruler of a country, the Emperor trusted not his sons but his daughter. Just because Yan Donghuang had been with him on the battlefield for many years, she had gained his favor, which was absurd.

Consort Gui despised this in her heart. A daughter should be dignified, gentle, and obedient. Yan Donghuang, however, wielded weapons like a man, not at all like a princess of a country. Only the Emperor treated her like a treasure.

The hall was silent.

Emperor Wu Lie sat at the imperial desk, personally writing an edict, his posture upright and imposing.

The Emperor was not actually old, but years of battles had left him with numerous injuries, depleting his vitality and causing his health to decline rapidly despite being in his prime. At this moment, he sat in the chair, focused on writing the edict. His brows were slightly lowered, his posture upright, and he still looked like the commander on the battlefield, the Emperor leading the army, intimidating and awe-inspiring.

“Your Majesty,” the concubines, led by Consort Gui, knelt down.

“Father,” the princes also knelt down.

Led by Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi, the officials knelt down together: “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Wu Lie put down his pen, his voice deep: “I have little time left, but the kingdom needs a successor. Today, I have called the court officials, concubines, and princes together to settle this matter.”

Yan Ming’s spirit lifted, and he glanced at Yan Donghuang, a look of nervous anticipation in his eyes.

The seven generals under Yan Donghuang’s command were all present. As long as Yan Donghuang supported him, the other princes had no chance.

Chapter 70

Emperor Wu Lie’s stern gaze swept over the crowd, taking in their nervous, uneasy, or dissatisfied expressions. After a moment, he spoke deeply: “Today, I announce that Donghuang will be made Crown Princess. After my death, she will inherit the throne and become the ruler of Yong.”

As his words fell, a deathly silence enveloped the hall.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. The princes and concubines looked up at the emperor in disbelief, their expressions blank and bewildered.

What did the emperor just say?
Who did he appoint?

The ministers also thought they had misheard and looked up at the emperor: “Your Majesty?”

“Are your ears not working?” Emperor Wu Lie’s stern gaze swept over them, as sharp as a blade, “My decree is to make Yan Donghuang the Crown Princess, to inherit my kingdom and become the next ruler of Yong. This breaks the ancestral laws, and I will announce it to the world.”

“The emperor wants to make a princess the heir?” The Noble Consort’s face was shocked as if she had heard something utterly absurd.

Prime Minister Pei regained his composure and vehemently opposed: “Your Majesty, a princess has never been made emperor in history!”

Grand Tutor Jiang uncharacteristically lost his composure: “Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

The Minister of Rites exclaimed: “Your Majesty, this is against the rules—”

“Your Majesty!”
“Father!”

“Rong Chun,” Emperor Wu Lie turned and ordered, “immediately read the edict.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The chief eunuch picked up the emperor’s freshly written edict and began to read it aloud in the hall.

The princes’ faces turned pale, each more dramatic than the last.

Yan Ming, hoping to be named heir, felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, extinguishing all his hopes and freezing his friendly expression. He slowly turned his head, looking at Yan Donghuang in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.

“Father, there has never been a precedent for a princess to become emperor,” the eldest prince, Yan Zhang, hurriedly said, “Why, Father…”

“Why?” Emperor Wu Lie’s expression was cold as he looked at his sons, who were fiercely competing for the throne, “Because Donghuang is skilled in both literature and martial arts and can suppress foreign enemies. Because she is my proud daughter. Because none of you are as good as her. Because this is my kingdom, and I will give it to whoever I want!”

By the end, Emperor Wu Lie was so agitated that he felt dizzy. He gripped the armrest for a while before recovering, his voice icy: “Do you still want to ask why? Should I hand over this kingdom to you and let you decide?”

“Your son does not dare. Your son did not mean that!” Yan Zhang said indignantly, “I just think that the matter of the heir concerns the foundation of the country, and the world has always had male rulers, with women being mere appendages—”

“Guards!” Emperor Wu Lie coldly ordered, “Drag Yan Zhang out and give him thirty lashes.”

Yan Zhang’s face changed dramatically: “Father!”

Two guards came in and quickly dragged Yan Zhang out.

“Anyone else dissatisfied can speak up now,” Emperor Wu Lie’s gaze was cold and murderous, “I don’t mind beating a few sons to death.”

The princes’ faces all changed, a chill running down their spines. Their father was willing to beat his own sons to death to make Yan Donghuang the heir? What had gotten into him, or had Yan Donghuang bewitched him?

The hall was oppressive, and Yan Zhang’s screams from outside sent chills down everyone’s spine.

Several princes turned to look at Yan Donghuang, their eyes dark and dissatisfied, with a hint of contemplation.

“Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate,” the Minister of War, Chu Jingyuan, said, “Since the founding of Yong, there has never been a precedent for women to govern or lead troops. The Crown Princess already holding military power is a taboo, disrupting the norms. How can she inherit the kingdom? This is clearly risking the ancestral foundation. Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate. Please reconsider!”

Emperor Wu Lie looked at him expressionlessly and calmly ordered: “Guards, drag Minister Chu out and give him thirty lashes.”

“Father,” Yan Ming’s face changed, and he quickly spoke up, “Uncle is just too loyal and does not mean to defy you. Please, Father, show mercy for his loyalty!”

Emperor Wu Lie was unmoved and signaled the guards to drag him out.
“Donghuang,” Yan Ming turned to Yan Donghuang, his face showing a pleading expression, “Uncle has always been kind to you. Can you bear to see him punished? Mother Consort treats you as her own—”

“The imperial decree cannot be violated,” Yan Donghuang coldly looked at him, “Second Brother, do you want to undermine Father’s authority?”

Yan Ming was stunned, his expression frozen.

Yan Donghuang stood up and bowed to her father: “Father, I have something to say.”

Emperor Wu Lie’s gaze was deep: “Donghuang, softness is a great taboo for a ruler.”

“I am not being soft-hearted, but there is something important I need to report to Father,” Yan Donghuang lowered her eyes, her tone steady, “I have spent many years on the battlefield and do not know much about the officials in the capital. However, Minister Chu, who oversees the Ministry of War, was responsible for the logistics during our campaigns. I trusted him greatly.”

“However, recently, I have heard many accusations of Minister Chu embezzling and accepting bribes, lining his own pockets. At first, out of respect for Consort De, I did not believe it and did not want to doubt his integrity. But there have been too many secret complaints. They say the memorials presented to Father were intercepted. I do not know who intercepted them, but the Minister of War embezzling and misappropriating supplies is extremely serious. I request Father to order an investigation.”

As she spoke, Yan Ming’s face changed dramatically: “Donghuang, Minister Chu is loyal and incorruptible. It must be someone trying to sow discord between us. Donghuang, you must not be deceived by villains!”

“Donghuang!” Consort De looked at Yan Donghuang in shock, her expression stern, “Why are you suddenly impeaching your uncle? Did someone say something to you? The emperor is unwell. Why are you bringing this up to upset him?”

“Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am innocent!” Minister Chu cried out, “Just because I opposed the Grand Princess becoming emperor, the Grand Princess is framing me? The emperor’s eyes are sharp! My loyalty is clear to the heavens—”

“Clear to the heavens?” Yan Donghuang’s eyes were cold, “I would like to know which heavens you are referring to.”

“I—”

Emperor Wu Lie’s expression darkened: “Donghuang, do you have evidence?”